A friend recently asked us, “My neighbors are gay, how do I respond to them?” Her concern was loving them and showing them the love of Jesus without sending a message that she condones their lifestyle.
So how do you love your gay neighbor?
Hesitantly? Conditionally? With lots of up front statements of our beliefs on sexuality?
No, I don’t think so.
I believe we are called to love our neighbors – gay or straight – the way Jesus loves us.
John 13:34 – “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
What’s interesting in this verse is the result that comes when we love the way Jesus loves. Do you see it? It’s not that people think we are soft or unwavering in our faith. But instead it sends a message that we are a true disciple of Jesus Christ. We don’t need to worry about being misunderstood by others – because we will be misunderstood in this life as we live it for Jesus. But our goal to is to love others the way Jesus loves and by that everyone will know we are his disciples.
So it leaves the question, “How do we love like Jesus?” We know that only Jesus could die in our place and pave the way to redemption. So it’s not like we can do that kind of love. He paid that ultimate price and because of that those who have a relationship with Him have the supernatural ability to love others with His love. The fact is we can’t love our neighbors on our own – no matter how straight, gay, Christian, non-Christian they are. It is the Spirit of God in us that allows us to love others the way Jesus does.
Anyone can offer up a hospitable “welcome to the neighborhood” and take over some fresh baked cookies. But that’s not what John 13:34 is talking about. Jesus-love is much more that sweet Southern formalities. It goes deeper than that.
So our advice to our friend? Love your neighbor by getting to know your neighbors. Spend time with them. Have them over for dinner. Celebrate happy times with them. Invite them to church. No need to look over your shoulder wondering what people think of you because as you love your neighbor with Jesus- love they will know you are His disciple. And as that becomes apparent you will be amazed at the conversations the Holy Spirit will open up and the opportunities for you to share the truth of Jesus’s love for both your neighbors and yourself. Because really? We might be living a heterosexual lifestyle but we are no different in our daily need for Jesus as our homosexual neighbor. So why would be withhold our Jesus-love to anyone?
Linking with Holley, Kristin and Jennifer
Thank you for offering such honest, loving advice here on a topic that many Christians struggle with. Not because we don’t want to love, but because, as you said, we sometimes just try too hard to determine ‘how’ we should love. Love like Jesus! Such a simple and needed truth. Blessings to you!